Taking peopleNo phase

Ultrasound checks for leg blood clots in critically ill adults

Tests regular leg ultrasound to find clots early in critically ill adults.

Key facts

Who runs it: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center
Where: Saudi Arabia1 site in 1 countryChoose a country to see its sites
Trial code: NCT05112705
Registry title: Diagnosing Deep-vein Thrombosis Early in Critically Ill Patients
Status: Recruiting
People taking part: 1,800 people, planned
Started: 21 Mar 2023
Expected to end: Dec 2026
Type of study: Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested: Proximal lower limb ultrasound
Record updated: 19 September 2025

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults in intensive care (ICU) who are expected to stay there more than 2 calendar days. It tests whether regular leg ultrasound to find blood clots lowers lung clots and deaths.

Age: 18 years or older
Sex: All sexes
Disease stage: Medical, surgical or trauma patients in intensive care, expected to stay more than 2 calendar days.
Earlier treatment: People cannot join if they take long-term blood thinners. They also cannot join if they had or are getting full treatment doses of blood thinners (UFH, LMWH or others) up to ICU admission.

Main reasons for not taking part

A deep vein clot (DVT) or lung clot (PE) found within the last year
A filter in the large belly vein (IVC filter)
Leg ultrasound not possible, for example burns, wounds, skin infection, poor blood flow, large dressings or an amputated foot or leg
Known or suspected pregnancy
Limits on life support, life expectancy under 7 days, or palliative care

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 11 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

Medical, surgical or trauma ICU patients ≥18 years old
Patients who are expected to stay in the ICU more than 2 calendar days (unlikely to be discharged out of ICU on the day of admission or on the next day)

Who cannot take part

Patients receiving chronic systemic anticoagulation
Patients who have received up to the time of ICU admission or are receiving therapeutic doses of anticoagulation with UFH, LMWH, or other anticoagulants
Previously enrolled in DETECT trial within the last 180 days
Inability or contraindication to obtain adequate ultrasound on the lower extremities (Burns in the lower extremities, lacerations, active skin infection, \& ischemic limb in the legs, large dressings in the thighs that prevent adequate ultrasounds OR amputated foot or leg on one or two sides)
Patients with DVT or PE diagnosed within the last year
Patients with Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filter
Known or suspected pregnancy
Limitation of life support, life expectancy <7 days or palliative care
Enrolled in another trial for which co-enrolment is not approved

This trial has no sites in United States.

It has sites in one country. Choose a country to see its sites.

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

The DETECT randomized controlled trial addresses the question of whether surveillance ultrasound in critically ill patients by facilitating DVT detection reduces the incidence of PE and lowers all-cause 90-day mortality. The primary outcome is 90-day all-cause mortality.

The 2 groups in the trial

Ultrasound GroupExisting treatment, for comparison
Patients will be receiving twice weekly proximal lower limb ultrasound
Treatment: Proximal lower limb ultrasound
Control GroupNo study treatment, for comparison
Proximal lower limb ultrasound will be performed as per the treating team discretion